FAQs

What is a Certified Professional Building Designer?

A Certified Professional Building Designer is first and foremost a professional familiar with all facets of the building trade. As a result, their plans and designs represent the needs, style and budget of the client. A Building Designer may offer a complete array of professional services to you as the client and may consist of:

• • • Residential Design, both single and multi-family, and commercial structures as permitted by the architectural statutes of each state.

• • • Discussing with you to ascertain type, size, and ultimate usage of the structure during the initial planning stage.

• • • Approaching any design problem based on the practical, functional and economical solutions that will best fulfill your requirements, while translating these factors into a concept that is both aesthetic and utilitarian.

• • • Offering recommendations regarding the site, interior and exterior layout, materials to be used, and architectural and exterior treatments.

• • • Furnishing you preliminary and detailed designs for the proposed structure, ranging from the initial concept to complete working drawings and specifications that will comply with all applicable building codes and regulations.

• • • When the conceptual designs are accepted by you, the building designer may present a contract detailing the extent of the services to be furnished and outline the related responsibilities, fees, and structural, mechanical and electrical considerations.

• • • Helping you select contractors and overseeing construction. You may retain a Building Designer to provide all or any part of the planning, design, and construction process as you desire. These services are subject to the policies and services of the individual designer you select.

• • • When retained to do so, he may assist you by preparing and publishing bid proposals for construction, and may also interpret and explain bid proposals to you with any recommendations.
  • • As your designer, he may be allowed by some states, to conduct on-site inspections or observations of your construction, ensuring that all work meets the recognized standards.

The American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) established an autonomous body known as the National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC) to create and administer an examination and certification program. These persons so certified are permitted to use the title of Certified Professional Building Designer. Certified Members must have more than six-years of work experience, have submitted examples of their work, and have been tested on competencies related to performing services required in any portion of planning, design and construction, as permitted in their state of residence or practice.

For more information on this certification process, please visit NCBDC.com.

What does a Building Designer do?

A building designer designs buildings; ranging from residential renovations and extensions, new dwellings as well as commercial and industrial designs, shop fit outs, renovations and new builds. This includes houses, multi-unit sites, townhouses, and small commercial. Essentially we have expertise that covers many areas of construction.

DG Designs, documents all aspects of the building design and construction with complete and comprehensive drawings. We collaborate with the many consultants involved and look after everything – right up to the builder and if needed, collecting approved drawings from the Building Certifier.

We design to ensure your building is comfortable, well laid out, energy efficient, matching your needs and expectations. This includes ensuring we have met your budget, site conditions, and resale and maintenance expectations.

What is the difference between a Building Designer and Architect?

Both Building Designers and Architects provide similar services in general. Building Designers are known for practical and innovative solutions, and generally have a better working relationship with builders, as they are ‘closer to the ground’. Building Designers fees are generally charged for drawing documentation sets and not a percentage of build. Some clients describe the differences as “building designers work with their clients not against them.”

Where do I start?

First determine your budget (what you want to spend) on the improvements of for a new home. Then contact a Building Designer / Architect for a meeting to review the desired scope of work.

What information do I need?

A boundary Survey with improvements (for additions), an elevation certificate if in a flood zone. A list of the desired scope of work for an addition or remodeling, or a description of the desired new home size, types and number of spaces, and style of building design.